Casting artificial-tooth plates by the electrotype process



p necessity of using solders which always have 'puritan srarns rnfrnnrformo-n.

I JOHN L. NEWELL, OF BINGHAMTO, NEI/V YORK.

CASTINGARTIFICIALATOOTH PLATES BY THE ELECTROTYPE PROCESS.

Specification of Letters PatentNo. 15,706, dated September 9, 1856.

To all whom t may concern `Be it known that I,JoHN L. NEwELL, ofBinghamton, Broome county, in the State of New York, have invented acertain new and useful Mode `of Mounting Artificial Teeth by theElectrotype Process; and I hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had totheaccompanying drawings, making a part of thisspecitication, in whichFigure l (Plate I) represents a top view of a set of teeth finished;Fig. 2 (Plate I) a bottom view of the same. Figs. l, 2, 3 and t (PlateII) 'represent different phases of the process and Fig. -5` (Plate II) aDaniels battery.

The object of this invention is to construct a plate of teeth with thelinings attached by the agency of electricity instead of the common modeof swaging and heating up the plate, teeth and linings which is liableto spring the plate and check or break the teeth by their unequalexpansion and contraction and also to obviate the to be alloyed morethan the work to be soldered.

This invention consists in forming the` plate and linings in one pieceof metal by the electrotype process upon a mold or cast of the mouthmade in the ordinary manner. Fusible metal composed of 8 parts ofbismuth, 5 of tin and 3 of lead seems to be best adapted for makingcasts as it is a conductor of electricity1 whereas plaster, wax, &c.,have to be rendered conductors by gilding their surfaces.

Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, Plate II, represent the cast of the mouth in itsdifferent phases of progression.

Fig. 5, Plate II, represents a Daniels `battery A and precipitatingtrough D.

Fig. 1, Plate II, represents a cast of the mouth, A is that part of thecast which has nothing to do with the shape of the mouth but which makesit substantial. It is painted red to distinguish that part from the truecast or impression. C is t-he roof ofthe mouth and B the alveolar ridge.Teeth are then placed upon the alveolar ridge temporarily in order tomark the cast so as to know precisely where to place vthe linings. Thecast being marked incisions are made in the alveolar ridge about a il@in. deep with a penknife as in Fig. 2, Plate II,

B, B,B. Slips of gold or silver foil about the thickness of ordinary tin`foil are then cut into the required Asize to suit the dimensions oftheteeth, `and inserted in the incisions B, B, B, Fig. 2, Plate II, and theJmetallic cast pressed on on each side ofthe foil to render them secureand evenly inserted see Fig. 3, A, Plate II, the cast, B the alveolarridge O, C, C, the foil `inserted. The object of these slips of foilarethat they may receive a deposit of metal at the same time the plateis being deposited thereby rendering the linings and plate one mass ofmetal.

Theplacefor the rim` on the outer edge of the plate see D, Fig. 8, PlateII, is made by cutting the outeriedges `ofthe cast into a suitable shapeto suit the ultimate design of "the operator whether he wants it to beround, square or otherwise. this stage as represented in Fig. 3, PlateII,

The cast at' is then attached toa copper wire E by heating one endV ofthe wire in the flame of a lamp and pressing it against the cast, isburied and becomesiirmly attached when cold, all parts of thepast whichare painted red on the drawings:` must be varnished in order to preventdeposition. The cast is then immersed in the trough D Fig. 5, Plate II,which contains asolution of the metal wished to deposit if it be ofsilver a saturated solution of the cyanid is best. If of gold asaturated solution of the eyanid is also best. If of copper a saturatedsolution of the sulfate of copper.

Fig. 5, Plate II, F is the cast in the s0- lution connected by a copperwire to the Zinc or positive pole B of a Daniels battery A.

E, is a plate of metal of the same kind as the solution to supply thesolution with metal as fast as the deposition goes on to the cast F. Theplate E is connected with the copper O or negative pole of Danielsbattery A.

I/Vhen a suflicient thickness of metal is deposited upon the cast andlinings as to render the plate and linings half the desired thickness itis taken out of the trough D.

Holes are drilled in the linings for the platina points of the teeth tocome through as in Fig. 4:, c, Plate II. The teeth are then mounted uponthe plate as in D and the platina points slightly riveted to keep themin their place. The plate with its llO complement of teeth is nowplunged in boiling Water When the cast being of fusible metal Whichmelts before the boiling point of water now leave-s the plate and teeth.The linings at this stage of procedure being only half the requiredthickness the teeth can be articulated (as the linings Will yield topressure) t0 assume the desired position. The plate vvith its complementof teeth is then taken and all the unnecessary interstices therein arefilled with a metallic precipitate Which may be prepared as follows forsilver: Take nitrate of silver in Water and add pieces of copper whenthe nitric acid Will leave the silver and take up the copper, and thesilver is thrown down in a finely divided metallic state Which beingWashed is fit for use by moistening With Water and used like a paste.Gold, platina, copper, &c., can be obtained in minute metallic divisionby precipitating them from their respective solutions With substances'Which have a stronger affinity for oxygen. The plate is then immersedin the trough D, Fig. 5, and connected with the battery (the same asheretofore mentioned) until the plate has acquired its full thicknessand the cement has become solidified that is to say the Cement beingcomposed of small particles of metal and being a conductor, metal fromthe solution is deposited around these particles'until solidity ensuesas a natural consequence, and is accomplished at the same time and underthe same circumstancesl as the plate When receiving its additionaldeposit of metal. The plate beingremoved from the vat is finished bypolishing in the usual manner.

I do notclaim as my invention the electrotype art of depositing metalson to* casts or molds; neither do I claim as my invention the making ofthe cast 0r mold. But

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis- 1. Constructing the linings in one piece and simultaneously with theplate by the electrotype process as set forth.

2. I also claim filling the interstices of artificial teeth whenattached to a metallic plate, with a metallic precipitate, solidified inthe manner described and for the purpose specified.

JOHN L. NEWELL. Vitnesses Gr. W. GREGORY, Jr., J. C. ROBIN.

